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Zuma case is 'political sabotage' Zuma case is 'political sabotage'
(about 23 hours later)
A request to postpone the corruption trial of former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma is an attempt to ruin his career, his lawyers say.A request to postpone the corruption trial of former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma is an attempt to ruin his career, his lawyers say.
They said a further delay would prevent Mr Zuma from running in the leadership contest for the governing African National Congress (ANC) next year.They said a further delay would prevent Mr Zuma from running in the leadership contest for the governing African National Congress (ANC) next year.
The prosecution says it needs more time to carry out its investigations.The prosecution says it needs more time to carry out its investigations.
Mr Zuma was sacked last year in connection with a 1999 arms deal. He was cleared of rape earlier this year.Mr Zuma was sacked last year in connection with a 1999 arms deal. He was cleared of rape earlier this year.
Judge Herbert Msimang said he would rule on the request for a delay by 20 September.
Some of his supporters believe that the charges against Mr Zuma are the result of a political vendetta, aimed at stopping him from becoming South Africa's president, after Thabo Mbeki steps down in 2009.Some of his supporters believe that the charges against Mr Zuma are the result of a political vendetta, aimed at stopping him from becoming South Africa's president, after Thabo Mbeki steps down in 2009.
Whoever wins next year's ANC elections will be favourite to succeed Mr Mbeki as national leader.Whoever wins next year's ANC elections will be favourite to succeed Mr Mbeki as national leader.
Delaying tacticsDelaying tactics
"Our plan was to have this matter over by the end of this year but that is simply not going to happen," lawyer Kemp J Kemp told the Pietermaritzburg High Court."Our plan was to have this matter over by the end of this year but that is simply not going to happen," lawyer Kemp J Kemp told the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
"This is not a case of oversight, they deliberately engineered the situation," he said."This is not a case of oversight, they deliberately engineered the situation," he said.
Zuma denies the charges of corruptionThe state says they have not been able to finalise their case because of delaying tactics by the defence, reports the AP news agency.Zuma denies the charges of corruptionThe state says they have not been able to finalise their case because of delaying tactics by the defence, reports the AP news agency.
Mr Zuma and his co-accused, French arms firm Thint, face charges in connection with a bribe allegedly paid to Mr Zuma.Mr Zuma and his co-accused, French arms firm Thint, face charges in connection with a bribe allegedly paid to Mr Zuma.
Defence lawyers have called for the case to be thrown out of court.Defence lawyers have called for the case to be thrown out of court.
Large crowds of Mr Zuma's supporters have been singing and dancing outside the court.Large crowds of Mr Zuma's supporters have been singing and dancing outside the court.
Correspondents say the case could determine the political future of a man who remains one of South Africa's most popular politicians, and who is believed still to harbour ambitions to the presidency.Correspondents say the case could determine the political future of a man who remains one of South Africa's most popular politicians, and who is believed still to harbour ambitions to the presidency.
Mr Zuma was sacked from the government more than a year ago when his financial adviser Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption in a case that arose from a government arms procurement deal in the 1990s.Mr Zuma was sacked from the government more than a year ago when his financial adviser Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption in a case that arose from a government arms procurement deal in the 1990s.
The judge said there had been a generally corrupt relationship between Mr Shaik and Mr Zuma, and evidence led in Mr Shaik's trial prompted the National Prosecuting Authority to start investigating charges against Mr Zuma.The judge said there had been a generally corrupt relationship between Mr Shaik and Mr Zuma, and evidence led in Mr Shaik's trial prompted the National Prosecuting Authority to start investigating charges against Mr Zuma.
Although the investigation prompted President Mbeki to relieve Mr Zuma of his duties as deputy president, he kept his position of deputy leader of the ANC.Although the investigation prompted President Mbeki to relieve Mr Zuma of his duties as deputy president, he kept his position of deputy leader of the ANC.
He first appeared in connection with the corruption allegations in the Durban magistrate's court in October, and prosecutors have spent the intervening period collecting and examining evidence.He first appeared in connection with the corruption allegations in the Durban magistrate's court in October, and prosecutors have spent the intervening period collecting and examining evidence.
Late last year, Mr Zuma was accused of rape by the daughter of a family friend, giving rise to a separate trial, in which he was acquitted.Late last year, Mr Zuma was accused of rape by the daughter of a family friend, giving rise to a separate trial, in which he was acquitted.